UNC's Bill Belichick has one word to describe UNC firing rumors

Jeff Hauser

UNC's Bill Belichick has one word to describe UNC firing rumors image

The struggles are real for Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels football program.

"As the World Turns" in Chapel Hill, the 73-year-old head coach is starting to push back on reporters in a hard way. He reaffirmed his stance that he’s “never wavered” from the job during Tuesday's press conference.  

An exchange came when a reporter suggested that UNC’s improved play coincided with his public statement denying reports that he might seek an early exit from the program.

One word Belichick used to describe the rumors was "garbage."

“It’s never been anything but that,” Belichick said. “Whoever that story came from, it’s already been taken down and everything else. It’s just total — as Trump would say — fake news. It’s just a novel. Our consistency has been here since the day that Michael Lombardi and I came in and started hiring people in December. We’ve been doing it every day, and that’s the way it’s gonna be.” 

“I’m sure there’s a lot of other people that want to get clicks and views and posts on ‘myface’ or whatever," Belichick added. "It’s just a bunch of garbage.”

MORE: Where Bill Belichick ranks among highest-paid college football coaches in 2025

Whatever gets the job done, right?

UNC’s 2-5 start, a dysfunctional staff dynamic, and reports that Belichick and athletic director Bubba Cunningham had discussed potential buyout options are all on a rocky timeline of events since the NFL GOAT coach started his first college gig. There's no doubt that any of this goes away without winning. Belichick and the school issued statements earlier this month reaffirming their commitment to making this work.

Since then, the Tar Heels have shown signs of life. Both losses to Cal and No. 15 Virginia came down to the final possession. Belichick will try again to get his first ACC win when UNC visits Syracuse on Friday night. The final trip outside of the state of North Carolina in the final five games. 

For now, Belichick is staying put and making sure everyone hears it.

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News Correspondent